WINTER SNOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 7

WINTER SNOW

WEATHER IN BRITAIN AUSTRALIANS' EXPERIENCE NOVELTY FOR TROOPS SYDNEY, Dec. 20 "N hile soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt and Palestine are stripped to the waist in the burning sun and sand, Australian troops in Great Britain are muffled against the winter snow, says the Australian official war correspondent in Britain. It was the first snow which hundreds of the Australians have seen. Most of these men were from districts in Australia in which snow is merely a fantastic idea. The English winter is now bitterly cold by the Australian standard, but the men are standing up well, though most are longing to be with the rest of the A.I.E. in the desert sun. An extra blanket was issued to all troops recently, making four to a man, and. their quarters are snug, with hot water in unlimited quantities. In the daytime, the Australians wear long-sleeved pullovers under their tunics, with greatcoats, mufflers, and knitted woollen gloves. The Assistant Director of Medical Services, Major Trethowan. said: "The men are in splendid , physical condition and are able to march 30 miles a day with ease." HITLER'S TOUR ADDRESSES TO FORGES CHANNEL PORTS VISITED (Received December 27, 5.35 p.m.) BERLIN, Dec. 26 Ender a date line "In the West," the German news agency says Hitler made a Christmas speech to the fighting forces in western positions. A tour commencing on Monday ended on Thursday. It included visits to Boulogne and Abbeville with his closest collaborators. Speaking to men of the bodyguard, Hitler said: "I do not know what your fate will be, men of the bodyguard, but I know you will be in the front line in every action. As long as I have the honour to lead the fight as head of the Reich, it will be your honour to bear my name and stand at the head of this battle." He concluded, "Heil, bodyguard." Speaking to the fighter wing of the air force, he said: "What you have done in the past year was considered hardly possible even by old soldiers." Hitler spent Christmas Day with German artillery batteries and air force commands close to the English Channel. He told soldiers that a "'better and more beautiful Germany will come out of the war." ARREST IN FRANCE GERMAN INDUSTRIALIST CANNES, Dec. 23 The police have detained Fritz Thyssen, the German industrialist, on charges that have not yet been revealed. It is believed that he is being held pending a decision concerning his status. Fritz Thyssen and his family fled from Germany m September, 1939, after he had strongly opposed a pact with Russia. He lived first in Switzerland, but last March went to France. Since leaving Germany he has repeatedly attacked Hitler.